Joseph Haslet

Infobox Officeholder
honorific-prefix =
name = Joseph Haslet
honorific-suffix =

---

imagesize =
small

office = Governor of Delaware
term_start = January 21 1823
term_end = June 20 1823
predecessor = Caleb Rodney
successor = Charles Thomas
term_start2 = January 15 1811
term_end2 = January 18 1814
predecessor2 = George Truitt
successor2 = Daniel Rodney
birth_date = 1769
birth_place = Milford, Delaware
death_date = death date and age|1823|6|20|1769|7|1
death_place = Sussex County, Delaware
spouse = Mary Draper
Rachael Hickman
party = Democratic-Republican
residence = Sussex County, Delaware
alma_mater =
occupation = farmer
profession =
religion = Presbyterian

Joseph Haslet (1769 – June 20 1823) was an American farmer and politician from Cedar Creek Village in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, who served twice as Governor of Delaware.

Early life and family

Haslet was born in 1769 in Milford, Delaware, son of Colonel John Haslet and Jemima Molleston Brinkle Haslet. Colonel John Haslet was the commander of the Delaware Regiment in the Continental Army and was killed at the Battle of Princeton in January 1777. Jemima Haslet died a month later "of an inflammation in the throat and lungs." Chief Justice William Killen became guardian for the children and eventually Joseph was apprenticed to a watchmaker in Wilmington. After he came of age he bought a farm in Cedar Creek Hundred in Sussex County. He first married Mary Draper, with whom he one child, Nathaniel. He later married Rachel Hickman and they had at least three children.

Political career

Haslet ran for Governor in 1804, losing to the Federalist candidate, Nathaniel Mitchell, and again in 1807, again losing to the Federalist candidate, George Truitt. Finally, in 1810 he squeaked out a victory against Federalist candidate Daniel Rodney and began his first term as Governor of Delaware, serving from January 15 1811 until January 18 1814.

The War of 1812 was the central event of Haslet's tenure as Governor. Entry into the War of 1812 was not met with much approval from Federalist Delaware, but Haslet was a Democrat and called the General Assembly into special session to raise militia. Carol Hoffecker in "Democracy in Delaware" describes him saying: "'Without your aid,' the governor told the predominantly Federalist legislators, 'compliance is impossible.' The militia was in shambles, he said, without arms or organization. But he was certain that Delaware would rise to the challenge. 'In this state it is not a question of whether the authority of the United States is to be respected. The State of Delaware will never hesitate to cooperate with her sister states in defending the common rights of the nation.'" [cite book |last= Hoffecker |first= Carol E |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title= Democracy in Delaware |origyear=2006 |publisher= Cedar Tree Books |location= Wilmington, Delaware |pages= p.70 |chapter= |quote ="Journal of the House of Representatives (1812), p. 4-6.] The General Assembly then voted to create a 1,000 man militia and appropriated $25,000 to equip them.

At first, there were several exciting naval victories, including the capture of the British ship "Frolic" by Captain Jacob Jones of Smyrna, Delaware. He was brother-in-law of former Governor James Sykes. By February 1813, however, the British sent fleets into both the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. For protection an encampment was built at "the Rocks" in Wilmington, Captain Caleb P. Bennett fortified New Castle, and Pea Patch Island was deeded to the U.S. Government so that there might be a fort built there.

Lewes was completely exposed and, as expected, received repeated demands for supplies by the British fleet. Haslet and the militia rushed to Lewes' defense. Having refused the demands, on April 6 1813 Lewes was subjected to a furious all day bombardment, followed by a half-hearted landing the next day. The bombardment actually did little damage. Scharf's account reports "one chicken was killed and one pig wounded," but over 300 cannon balls were picked up, including 40 or 50 that were 32 pounders. [cite book |author=Scharf, John Thomas |title=History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. |publisher=L. J. Richards & Co., Philadelphia |year=1888|id=] The landing the next day was beaten off as well. By June the British simply landed at Milford and took what they needed. Meanwhile the other British fleet was sailing the Chesapeake, raiding Havre de Grace, Georgetown, and Frenchtown, keeping everyone in New Castle County very nervous.

Eight years after leaving office Haslet ran for Governor again and was elected by an even narrower margin than the first time, beating the Federalist candidate James Booth. It was a bitter campaign. Haslet was accused of being a former slave owner, and neglecting the Lewes defenses in 1813. Booth, on the other hand, was accused of being a Loyalist during the American Revolution. Haslet became the only man in the 19th century to win two terms as Governor, but his combined victory margins were less than 100 votes. He served from January 21 1823 for only five months until his death on June 20 1823.

{|class=wikitable style="width: 94%" style="text-align: center;" align="center"
-bgcolor=#cccccc!colspan=12 style="background: #ccccff;" |Delaware General Assembly
"(sessions while Governor)"
-!Year!Assembly!!Senate Majority!Speaker!!House Majority!Speaker
-
1811
35th|
Party shading/Federalist |Federalist
Party shading/Federalist |James Sykes|
Party shading/Federalist |Federalist
Party shading/Federalist |Cornelius P. Comegys
-
1812
36th|
Party shading/Federalist |Federalist
Party shading/Federalist |James Sykes|
Party shading/Federalist |Federalist
Party shading/Federalist |Cornelius P. Comegys
-
1813
37th|
Party shading/Federalist |Federalist
Party shading/Federalist |Andrew Barratt|
Party shading/Federalist |Federalist
Party shading/Federalist |Cornelius P. Comegys
-
1823
47th|
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Democratic-Republican
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Charles Thomas|
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Democratic-Republican
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |George Clark, Jr.
###@@@KEYEND@@@###

Death and legacy

Haslet died June 20 1823 at Cedar Creek Village in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware. He was the fourth Governor of Delaware to die in office. He was first buried on his farm at Cedar Creek Village, but was moved in 1917 to the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Milford. He appears to have died without any heirs, his only son, Nathaniel, having died in 1812 and his second wife, Rachael, in 1820.

There is no known portrait of Joseph Haslet.

Almanac

Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and had a three year term.

{|class=wikitable style="width: 94%" style="text-align: center;" align="center"
-bgcolor=#cccccc!colspan=7 style="background: #ccccff;" | Public Offices
-! Office! Type! Location! Elected! Took Office! Left Office! notes
-Party shading/Anti-Jacksonian
Governor
Executive
Dover
1810
January 15 1811
January 18 1814|
-Party shading/Anti-Jacksonian
Governor
Executive
Dover
1822
January 21 1823
June 20 1823
died in office
###@@@KEYEND@@@###

{|class=wikitable style="width: 94%" style="text-align: center;" align="center"
-bgcolor=#cccccc!colspan=12 style="background: #ccccff;" |Election results
-!Year!Office!!Subject!Party!Votes!%!!Opponent!Party!Votes!%
-
1804
Governor|
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Joseph Haslet
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Democratic-Republican
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |4,050
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |48%|
Party shading/Federalist |Nathaniel Mitchell
Party shading/Federalist |Federalist
Party shading/Federalist |4,391
Party shading/Federalist |52%
-
1807
Governor|
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Joseph Haslet
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Democratic-Republican
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |3,062
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |48%|
Party shading/Federalist |George Truitt
Party shading/Federalist |Federalist
Party shading/Federalist |3,309
Party shading/Federalist |52%
-
1810
Governor|
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Joseph Haslet
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Democratic-Republican
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |3,664
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |50%|
Party shading/Federalist |Daniel Rodney
Party shading/Federalist |Federalist
Party shading/Federalist |3,593
Party shading/Federalist |50%
-
1822
Governor|
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Joseph Haslet
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |Democratic-Republican
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |3,784
Party shading/Democratic-Republican |50%|
Party shading/Federalist |James Booth
Party shading/Federalist |Federalist
Party shading/Federalist |3,762
Party shading/Federalist |50%
###@@@KEYEND@@@###

Notes

References

*cite book |title = History of the State of Delaware |last= Conrad |first= Henry C. |coauthors= |work= |publisher= Wickersham Company |location= Lancaster, Pennsylvania |pages= |year= 1908 |id=
*cite book |title= Democracy in Delaware |last= Hoffecker |first= Carol E. |coauthors= |work= |publisher= Cedar Tree Books |location= Wilmington, Delaware |pages= |year= 2004 |id= ISBN 1-892142-23-6
*cite book |title= A History of Delaware Through its Governors |last= Martin |first= Roger A. |coauthors= |work= |publisher= McClafferty Press |location= Wilmington, Delaware |pages= |year= 1984 |id=
*cite book |title = History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols |last = Scharf |first = John Thomas |coauthors = |work = |publisher = L. J. Richards & Co |location = Philadelphia |year = 1888 |id =
*cite book |title= Forgotten Heroes of Delaware |last= Wilson |first= Emerson. |coauthors= |work= |publisher= Deltos Publishing Company |location= Cambridge, Massachusetts |pages= |year= 1969 |id=

External links

* [http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=e8da224971c81010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD Joseph Haslet at the "Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States"]
* [http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/haskill-hastie.html#RKD0GU97W Joseph Haslet at the "Political Graveyard"]
*Find A Grave|id=7489295
* [http://www.russpickett.com/history/delgov2.htm#hazlet Joseph Haslet at "Delaware’s Governors"]

Places with more information

* [http://www.hsd.org/ Historical Society of Delaware] , 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware [phone]
* [http://www.lib.udel.edu/ University of Delaware Library] , 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware [phone]